“Book-Life” Metaphor in Medieval Literature and Russian Literature of First Half of 19th Century

Abstract

The article deals with the semantics of the “book-life” metaphor. Variations in its lexical composition, changes in meaning are described using the material of medieval literature and Russian literature of the first half of the 19th century: on the example of N.M. Karamzin, N.M. Yazykov, P.A. Vyazemsky, A.S. Pushkin. The textual analysis carried out allows us to conclude that the most significant vital bibliometaphors for two cultural epochs were “the book-treasure of eternal life”, “book-world”, “life-edifying Scripture”; “Expense book of being”, “life is a book read a hundred times”, “novel is life”. They express a range of value judgments: in ancient Russian texts, the bibliometaphor ex-presses respectful admiration for the secrets of God’s creation. The axiological component of the vital metaphor of the 19th century is more varied: religious reverence is noticeable in it, indignation at the boredom of the “book of life,” an understanding of Life as an unfinished novel. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the fact that a spectrum of vital bibliometaphors, that nuances the meaning of the metaphor-invariant (“book-life”) is established. An appeal to the diachronic aspect makes it possible to more clearly notice the semantic shifts in the metaphorical language: in the 19th century the comprehension of fate as a “reading” of the Holy Book common to all is complemented by the metaphor of a personal “book of life”.

Keywords

• bibliometaphorics
• metaphor
• book-life
• ancient russian literature
• russian literature